Evolution of Professionalism in Working Women in India

Introduction:

In the 1970s to 1990s, during my initiation into Government Service in India, the prevailing mindset among most middle-class families was notably constrictive, especially concerning the aspirations and growth of women. The perceived career options for working women, as envisioned by urban middle-class households, were typically confined to professions like teaching or certain government jobs. These roles were often deemed mundane or, at the very least, considered unimportant enough to allow women to fulfil their ‘primary’ duty of managing the household.

While some exceptionally talented women were granted permission to pursue careers in the medical profession, the idea of them taking on leadership roles in management, engineering, or various other fields was deemed unimaginable. In many instances, families permitted women to work primarily to generate additional income, often earmarked for marriage expenses or to supplement their husband’s earnings. Undoubtedly, these cultural barriers served as discouraging factors, preventing numerous deserving women from realizing their full potential. In this article, I aim to share my perspective on this matter.

A few Incidents

During my commute to the Central Water Commission office in RK Puram by a chartered bus, I observed a woman who consistently struggled with household responsibilities, often running approximately 150m to catch the bus. Her appearance reflected the hurried nature of her mornings, with hair and makeup left incomplete. Surprisingly, there seemed to be no support from her household to share the burden of these responsibilities, leaving her in a recurrent state of embarrassment.

In another instance, a colleague shared a story about a female employee in CWC who, upon being verbally reprimanded for tardiness, tearfully expressed, “What shall I do—my mother-in-law doesn’t understand my predicament at home, and in the office, there is no willingness to accommodate at all.”

A third incident involved a woman bank cashier utilizing her spare time to cut vegetables in her cabin during non-peak hours, promptly putting the task on hold when a customer approached. While my initial response to these incidents might have been insensitive, possibly accompanied by laughter and insensitive comments, it leads me to reflect on the pressures that working women faced during those times. Juggling uncooperative family dynamics and the demands of their jobs, however insignificant those jobs might have been, undoubtedly created considerable stress for them.

The Transition:

Over the years, our generation has observed two contrasting perspectives regarding women: one characterized by a rigid mindset resisting change and manifesting in heinous crimes against women, and the other embracing openness and transformation. The shift began gradually, marked by legislative measures like the Dowry Prevention Act (1961) and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (1994), coupled with advancements in women’s education and activism.

While there has been progress, societal acceptance of gender equality initiatives, advocating against violence, promoting workplace equality, supporting political empowerment, and emphasizing education and literacy, remains partial. The comment highlights the role of economic changes, increased activism, and the growing openness of urban families in steering this shift in social norms. Additionally, corporate initiatives, especially by multinational corporations with diverse cultural settings, and political considerations aiming to secure electoral support, have significantly contributed to this gradual change, fostering better acceptance of women in evolving roles.

Recent Government Led Initiatives:

Recent government initiatives, such as the establishment of the National Commission of Women (1992), the Women Helpline (2012), the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013), the One-stop Centre (2015), Beti Padao Beti Bachao (2015), and the Women Reservation Act (2023), are commendable steps toward providing protection to women. However, overcoming the deeply ingrained patriarchal mindset in society will require additional efforts.

Intent to Empowerment: A complex journey

The legislation enacted by authorities represents a clear intent, yet the path from this intent to actual empowerment is often convoluted, filled with challenges and roadblocks. During my tenure in DANIDA and my consulting work, I had the opportunity to travel to regions showcasing significantly diverse socioeconomic and administrative conditions at the level of Gram Panchayats and down to the village level. The areas I visited included:

Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
Kolar, Chitradurga, and Bijapur in Karnataka.
Ratlam and Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh.
Dosa and Alwar in Rajasthan.
Aurangabad in Maharashtra

This exposure underscored that local conditions in each area are so varied that a singular model cannot seamlessly translate the intent into empowerment. In my humble opinion as a citizen of this great country, the Central Government should play the role of a Friend, Philosopher, and Guide. State Governments and their departments should assume the role of philosophers, while the pivotal responsibility of wielding power and bringing democracy to the grassroots level should be assumed by local Panchayats.

When it comes to empowering women, there is an additional challenge posed by age-old cultural practices and stereotyped roles within Gram Panchayats, even among women elected as functionaries due to legal reservations. This is where the imperative need for external agents of change or catalysts, such as local think tanks and NGOs, becomes evident.

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Role of NGOs Specialized in Women matters:

While these laws signify the government’s good intentions, their effective implementation is another challenge. It necessitates an open-minded approach from the male population, which has traditionally held a sense of undeserved superiority. Initially, catalysts are required to accelerate this process.

In my opinion, government-accredited NGOs specializing in counselling and legal resources can play a vital role in addressing issues like alcoholism, domestic violence, and irresponsible behaviour by males, such as gambling and betting. One incident involving a part-time female domestic worker illustrates the impact of such NGOs. When faced with domestic violence from her alcoholic husband, she sought help from an NGO. The organization attempted counselling but eventually had to intervene legally, resulting in a written agreement that deterred further violence. While this woman was resourceful and aware, many others may find it challenging to seek help, and NGOs may lack the resources to fully address the situation. A systematic approach is essential to enable women to take advantage of legal protection. This may include:

Awareness campaigns on social media platforms commonly used by women.
Training programs for NGO executives in counseling and the legal aspects of laws protecting women.
Extensive publicity for NGOs specializing in women’s matters.
Display of information at locations frequently visited by women, such as health centers, city buses, bus stops, etc.
Awareness campaigns through Gram Panchayats and other government structures.

To provide resources to these NGOs, programs could be initiated under Corporate Social Responsibility and through a special tax on taxpayers.

Change of Patriarchal Attitude

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, mandated the reservation of seats for women in Panchayats, effective from April 24, 1993. Despite this legal provision, the issue of male dominance persists in some cases. Even after 26 years, we had to insist multiple times to hear the perspectives of women members in village water and sanitation committees. This underscores that a change in the deep-rooted cultural mindset requires more than just enacting laws. Trained women sociologists need to invest time to accelerate the intended change. In my experience at DANIDA, changing the habits of women in relatively literate villages required multiple meetings and visits by our social teams. While the government can expedite infrastructure creation, instilling the right habits necessitates soft skills and commitment, which government employees may lack or be inadequately resourced for. As a strategic decision, partnerships with corporates should be considered in new government initiatives to benefit women and change patriarchal mindsets, accelerating the desired results.

Conclusion

The evolution of professionalism in working women in India reflects a journey from cultural constraints to gradual acceptance. While progress has been made, collaborative efforts are necessary to eliminate deep-seated patriarchal attitudes and fully empower women in diverse roles.

As we step into the New Year, my best wishes extend to all the readers. May this year bring forth significant events that contribute to the empowerment of women and the elevation of professional standards. Together, let’s embrace positive change, fostering an inclusive and equal society for everyone. Happy New Year!